What does a diesel engineer do?
A diesel Engineer inspects, maintains, and repairs diesel engines. They diagnose engines and examine the engine parts and system machinery to identify the vehicle's right service. These professionals use several tools like pliers, lathes, drills, screwdrivers, wrenches, and grinders to complete their tasks. They measure engine power by using different pieces of testing equipment like dynamometers. Moreover, these professionals rebuild engines or repair starting systems, cylinder heads, fuel-injection systems, large-sized natural gas engines, and turbochargers.
Diesel engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real diesel engineer resumes:
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Verify test cell calibrations through INCA, along with calibrating vehicle specific calibrations in vehicles.
- Work with Oberlin vendor on development of new PLC programming and layout of PLC control cabinet.
- Perform PMS on necessary engineering components monthly.
- Prepare emission certification documentations for submittal to EPA.
- Provide DCS equipment specifications including network tie-in with existing Honeywell DCS system.3.
- Identify applicable regulatory statutes and testing require to obtain EPA emissions certification.
- Develop low-level control systems, using Matlab Simulink, for emissions critical fuel system
- Conduct geotechnical and environmental subsurface investigations.
- Integrate natural language processing approaches for music named-entity extraction.
Diesel engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 45% of Diesel Engineers are proficient in MATLAB, Data Acquisition, and Inca. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Diesel Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- MATLAB, 45%
Analyzed data using Matlab, EcSuits, DIAdem, MS Office Tools and presented findings.
- Data Acquisition, 29%
Analyzed data acquisition through time base charts.
- Inca, 9%
Verified test cell calibrations through INCA, along with calibrating vehicle specific calibrations in vehicles.
- EPA, 6%
Prepared emission certification documentations for submittal to EPA.
- Engine Room, 3%
Assigned and scheduled work to engine room licensed and unlicensed personnel, spare part and stores requisitioning.
- HVAC, 3%
Supervised building/laboratory support, HVAC, telecommunications, predictive and preventative maintenance support personnel (20 technicians)
"matlab," "data acquisition," and "inca" are among the most common skills that diesel engineers use at work. You can find even more diesel engineer responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a diesel engineer to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Diesel engineers often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "utilize project management skills to ensure timely execution of inventory movement. "
Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform diesel engineer duties is listening skills. Diesel engineers responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Diesel engineers also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "coordinated and communicated efforts between large strategic customers, field installation teams and software development teams to help guide product architecture. "
Math skills. diesel engineers are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to diesel engineer responsibilities, because "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." A diesel engineer resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "researched and implemented business functionalities (java & mysql) using methods from machine learning & statistics. "
Mechanical skills. For certain diesel engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "mechanical skills." The day-to-day duties of a diesel engineer rely on this skill, as "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what diesel engineers do: "provided mechanical overhauls of diesel engines, installed field telecommunications, and preliminary checks and services on military vehicles. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for diesel engineer responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of diesel engineers all the time, as "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." An excerpt from a real diesel engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a diesel engineer does: "conducted diagnostic tests on engines to identify specific issues and provide resolutions. "
The three companies that hire the most diesel engineers are:
- General Motors2 diesel engineers jobs
Compare different diesel engineers
Diesel engineer vs. Research and development engineer
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between diesel engineers and research and development engineer. For instance, diesel engineer responsibilities require skills such as "matlab," "obd," "hil," and "inca." Whereas a research and development engineer is skilled in "python," "r," "c #," and "solidworks." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Research and development engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,654. Comparatively, diesel engineers tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $102,536.The education levels that research and development engineers earn slightly differ from diesel engineers. In particular, research and development engineers are 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a diesel engineer. Additionally, they're 2.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diesel engineer vs. Product engineer
A product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public. Moreover, they are also responsible for producing reports and presentations, coordinating with the development team of their company. Product engineers also reach out to vendors and suppliers for the raw materials, set regulations and standards for the product, and even conduct a rigorous and regular quality check.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real diesel engineer resumes. While diesel engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "matlab," "obd," "data acquisition," and "hil," product engineers use skills like "cad," "product design," "project management," and "c++."
Product engineers may earn a lower salary than diesel engineers, but product engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $90,301. On the other hand, diesel engineers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $102,536.product engineers earn similar levels of education than diesel engineers in general. They're 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for diesel engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Edoardo Sarda Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Robotics Engineering, Lake Superior State University
Diesel engineer vs. Mechanical design engineer
A mechanical design engineer specializes in designing various mechanical devices that will be vital in developing machinery or large structures. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around conducting thorough research and analysis, establishing layouts and prototypes, producing progress reports, and working alongside fellow engineers and skilled professionals. Typically assigned in an office setting, a mechanical design engineer must visit construction sites or factories to test and observe equipment qualities. Furthermore, during production, there are instances when a mechanical engineer must coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and clients.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, diesel engineers are more likely to have skills like "matlab," "obd," "data acquisition," and "hil." But a mechanical design engineer is more likely to have skills like "cad," "mechanical design," "gd," and "creo."
Mechanical design engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $87,483. On the other hand, diesel engineers are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $102,536.mechanical design engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to diesel engineers. Specifically, they're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diesel engineer vs. Design engineer internship
When it comes to a design engineer internship, an intern is primarily responsible for performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a manager or a more experienced engineer. Their duties typically revolve around processing documents, updating records and populating databases, responding to inquiries and correspondence, running errands, sharing insights, and even participating in designing projects. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to report to the supervising manager and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Types of diesel engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
